tengas que

have to

→ tener

phrase Uncommon #21,832

have to The second-person singular informal subjunctive form of “tener que,” used for obligations or things someone is required to do. It can also appear in expressions such as “quien tengas que...” meaning “whoever you have to...”

SP: Haz lo que tengas que hacer.

EN: Do whatever you have to do.

Es una lástima que tengas que marcharte ya.

It's a shame you have to leave now.

No preguntes cada vez que tengas que mear.

Don't ask every time you have to pee.

— Cadena perpetua (1994)

Ve donde tengas que ir para averiguar quién introduce esa mierda en el país.

Go wherever you have to go to find out who’s bringing that shit into the country.

— American Gangster (2007)

Eso no quiere decir que tengas que ir con él.

That doesn't mean you have to go with him.

Sí, está bien, tío, pero eso no significa que tengas que renunciar.

Yeah, that's fine, man, but that doesn't mean you have to quit.

— Ahora me ves 3 (2025)

Díselo a quien tengas que decírselo.

Tell whoever you need to tell.

Sólo quiero estar segura de que no tengas que mendigar cuando muera.

I just want to be sure you won't have to beg when I die.

— El síndrome asténico (1989)

Espero que no tengas que quedarte en Boston todo el mes.

I hope you don't have to stay in Boston all month.

Para que no tengas que salir a por ellos de noche.

So you don't have to go out and get them at night.

— Happy Together (1997)

Quiero escuchar cualquier cosa que tengas que decir.

I want to hear anything you have to say.

Santa te vas a la central y les dices a ellos lo que tengas que decirles.

Santa, go to headquarters and tell them whatever you need to tell them.

— Los lunes al sol (2002)

No hay nada por lo que tengas que estar enojado.

There's nothing to be angry about.

Es mejor tener una vida larga, aunque siempre tengas que comer gachas.

It’s better to have a long life, even if you always have to eat porridge.

— Yojimbo. El mercenario (1961)

Espero que no tengas que hacerlo.

I hope you don't have to do it.

Para que no tengas que cargar mucho.

So you don't have to carry too much.

— El bueno, el feo y el malo (1966)

phrase Rare #43,036

have to Used in the present subjunctive of tener que. Depending on context, it can mean 'have to' or 'need to'; in negative sentences it often means 'don't have to'.

SP: Espero que no tengas que trabajar mañana.

EN: I hope you don't have to work tomorrow.

Por eso probablemente tengas que decirle quién eres.

That's why you'll probably have to tell him who you are.

— Érase una vez en… Hollywood (2019)

Tal vez no tengas que hacerlo.

Maybe you don't have to.

Tal vez tengas que convencerte tú mismo primero.

You may have to convince yourself first.

Haz trabajos donde no tengas que decidir esas cosas.

Do jobs where you don't have to decide those things.

Quizá te tengas que cortar también el pelo.

You might have to cut your hair too.

— Un lugar en ninguna parte (1988)